Author Topic: Fuel Economy  (Read 5411 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline cosmic

  • antrx.com junior member
  • **
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
Fuel Economy
« on: Mar 16, 2007, 06:16PM »
G'day,

As previous, I'm currently a 1979 Nissan 280zx driver (L28E straight 6 fuel injected), thinking of getting a U13 SSS...

I'm curious about fuel economy... I've been searching the archives, and it seems as though most people seem to get

8L per 100km - BEST
15L per 100km - WORST
10.5L per 100km - Approx AVERAGE

I guess I was expecting it to be a little better than that, given that I get around 12L / 100km with my Zed, and that's with the A/C running 365days and a dead EGR valve.  10L / 100km if I turn the AC off.  That's all "city" driving, 60-80kph, probably no more than 5-10% on the freeway.

Any thoughts?

cheers


cosmic

Offline Budgie

  • Dr. B Udgie - AWD FTW
  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 9411
  • Karma: +131/-33
  • Gender: Male
  • U12-U13
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #1 on: Mar 16, 2007, 07:32PM »
A KA24DE U13 in good condition will return you 8/100km or under mate, if driven appropriately.
dont piss me off with your pillarless shit captain snappy wrist

Offline greenbird

  • antrx.com senior member
  • ****
  • Posts: 414
  • Karma: +11/-1
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #2 on: Mar 16, 2007, 09:46PM »
On the highway i generally get between 8 and 8.5 litres per hundred.
Around town is a consistent 9.5 to 10 litres per hunderd.
Towing a heavy load will jump it up to around 12 or 13 litres per hundred.
I've had the car for nearly 7 years, so i know what it will and won't do!
That is for a manual car too. You can expect higher figures for automatics... After having driven my mums auto SSS around for a couple of weeks back in january, i can say that they are far worse on fuel than the manuals.

I am also still sceptical about the fact that the U13 supposedly has a 60 or 65 (can't remember) litre tank. I ran my car into a servo in the middle of victoria once whilst it was coughing and spluttering and it only took 45 litres to fill it.....
93 U13 Bluebird
5 spd
Finer Filter, Hi-Flow cat & 2.25" exhaust
17X7 Concept 5 wheels
2 inch lowered King Springs

Offline cosmic

  • antrx.com junior member
  • **
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #3 on: Mar 16, 2007, 10:44PM »
7L or so per 100km sounds appealing :)

When fuel shot thru the roof over the past 36 months especially (as am a full time student) I decided to keep my Zed under 3000rpm... not sure if it's REALLY helped fuel economy though...

As for the tank size, vs actual capacity... the 280zx is supposed to have an 80L tank... and I've never been able to get more than 70L in, usually only 60-65L...

The reason the guys over at the zcar.com site came up with for this discrepancy I personally highly doubt - that a few litres worth of sludge has formed at the bottom of your tank over the years, thus reducing how much you can put in...   'fraid I don't have any other answers though.

Offline Kranzy

  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 3500
  • Karma: +66/-4
  • Gender: Male
  • U12 - SR20DET
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #4 on: Mar 17, 2007, 12:23AM »
I think you'll find that as most manufacturers do they have a reserve in the tank. Basically means that when the gauge hits empty/fuel light comes on there may still be anywhere from 5-10 litres left in the tank in reserve.

Just ask noss who drove roughly 100km on the fuel light in my n13 pulsar because no petrol stations were open in the last major town we drove through. Mind you as i was passenger i decided to sleep for this part of the journey as i didnt really want to think about running out of fuel.

That would be my response is that you cant ever put in 80 litres because there will always be fuel from this reserve taking up the space.
Quote from: noss
learnt something new just then, dont eat baked bean sandwhiches while changing the paper in the copier


"Noss is GOD"

Offline P-Unit

  • antrx.com full member
  • ***
  • Posts: 213
  • Karma: +11/-1
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #5 on: Mar 17, 2007, 12:25AM »
Keeping the car under 3000 rpm wont necessarily help your fuel economy, all cars have an optimal revs/distance/fuel used ratio. Your best bet for saving fuel is staying in right gear at the right revs at the right speed (then hitting cruise control and not being stuck in traffic)

I don't drive a U13 SSS, Ive got a U13 LX and i get around 5-6/100 on highway driving and around 8-10 for usual city driving and suburban short trips, but then again I'm a leadfooted 19 year old, and thats a FWD not an AWD.

Offline slim

  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 1517
  • Karma: +16/-7
  • Gender: Male
  • Nissan Bluebird SSS 1996 ®
    • Pictures
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #6 on: Mar 17, 2007, 12:45AM »
Ive got a manual U13 SSS and currently get about 10 to 11 L/km
with a bit of high revving. im thinking my car needs a tune.

The bluebird can run a long distance on empty with the red light on
i tend to go about 30 -50kms at times with the red light and its not coughin or spluttering
so Kranzy got that number right for the pulsar so the bluebird? dont know but ill know soon its empty ;D
  • Bosch HID Kit, Clear Side & Front Indicators + Bulbs
  • B&M Shortshifter
  • JVC DVD Touchscreen 5.1 Surround Sound
  • Full Whiteline Kit
  • Tokico Shocks
¤ slim's 1996 SSS Bluebird Project Thread

Offline Kranzy

  • Administrator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 3500
  • Karma: +66/-4
  • Gender: Male
  • U12 - SR20DET
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #7 on: Mar 17, 2007, 11:13AM »
I ran the pinny down to nothing just once to see how much id get off the fuel light, was about 100km.
Quote from: noss
learnt something new just then, dont eat baked bean sandwhiches while changing the paper in the copier


"Noss is GOD"

Offline JelloBello

  • Attesa Driver
  • west oz local moderator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 2158
  • Karma: +29/-4
  • Gender: Male
  • Got Pastie?
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #8 on: Mar 17, 2007, 11:38AM »
I can get about 100km worth of fuel light in my import bluebird (sr20 awd)

I also have run it right down to nothing and managed to fit 63L ..... (interesting when it's got a 62L tank :P)
1994 u13 SSS Attesa ftw. Project thread here
13.876 @ 98.83mph

Offline phreeky

  • antrx.com senior member
  • ****
  • Posts: 273
  • Karma: +2/-0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #9 on: Mar 17, 2007, 02:39PM »
Yeah I've gotten a fair few kays off the fuel light in my bluey (sr20) too, had it spluttering when i fueled up.

I generally get around 9L/100Km on the highway, but that's with some spirited overtaking from time to time and not exactly sitting on 100km/h. Being a "good boy", more like 7.5-8L/100Km (this is almost identical to my GFs mazda3, so pretty good IMO).

edit: i think the overly "smooth" shape of the U13 must be a big factor in the quite good fuel economy.

Offline JelloBello

  • Attesa Driver
  • west oz local moderator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 2158
  • Karma: +29/-4
  • Gender: Male
  • Got Pastie?
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #10 on: Mar 17, 2007, 03:27PM »
my fuel econ. is appauling - i think i calculated around 13.5L/100km, makes me cry. Although this is with by no means granny driving + my sparkies + leads are overdue a change  ;D
1994 u13 SSS Attesa ftw. Project thread here
13.876 @ 98.83mph

Offline cosmic

  • antrx.com junior member
  • **
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #11 on: Mar 17, 2007, 06:40PM »
Mmmm all these things to get used to, different from my world of Zeds...

Front Wheel Drive... so - all U13's are FWD? 

And there's a whole range of different motors in them by the sounds of things.

I've always wanted a turbo in my 280zx, but I don't think I want a turbo Bluebird... or rather, in this day and age of fuel over $1/L, I think a turbo would be too tempting for me.

Offline P-Unit

  • antrx.com full member
  • ***
  • Posts: 213
  • Karma: +11/-1
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #12 on: Mar 17, 2007, 08:17PM »
To my knowledge the SSS is an AWD, whereas the LX and the TX are FWD Models, the SSS also has a different engine to the LX.

Correct me if I'm wrong but this in my understanding (or misunderstanding)

Offline slim

  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 1517
  • Karma: +16/-7
  • Gender: Male
  • Nissan Bluebird SSS 1996 ®
    • Pictures
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #13 on: Mar 17, 2007, 08:21PM »
To my knowledge the SSS is an AWD, whereas the LX and the TX are FWD Models, the SSS also has a different engine to the LX.

Correct me if I'm wrong but this in my understanding (or misunderstanding)

Only the Japanese SSS is AWD the Aussie one is FWD.
LX,TX,SSS(OZ)= 2.4L, i4. KA24DE,  FWD
SSS(japan)= got 2L, i4.  SR20DET, AWD
  • Bosch HID Kit, Clear Side & Front Indicators + Bulbs
  • B&M Shortshifter
  • JVC DVD Touchscreen 5.1 Surround Sound
  • Full Whiteline Kit
  • Tokico Shocks
¤ slim's 1996 SSS Bluebird Project Thread

Offline greenbird

  • antrx.com senior member
  • ****
  • Posts: 414
  • Karma: +11/-1
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #14 on: Mar 18, 2007, 12:04PM »
Only the Japanese SSS is AWD the Aussie one is FWD.
LX,TX,SSS(OZ)= 2.4L, i4. KA24DE,  FWD
SSS(japan)= got 2L, i4.  SR20DET, AWD

Don't mean to be picky, but there's no such thing as a TX. I think you mean 'Ti'...
There are also some SR20 (non turbo) FWD U13's getting around. They were imported too, not bought brand new through Nissan in Aus.
As Slim has said, all Aussie U13's got the KA24DE, in FWD form.
93 U13 Bluebird
5 spd
Finer Filter, Hi-Flow cat & 2.25" exhaust
17X7 Concept 5 wheels
2 inch lowered King Springs

Offline NIZ013

  • No longer a Nissan Driver...
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 1142
  • Karma: +61/-21
  • Gender: Female
    • UDC
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #15 on: Mar 18, 2007, 06:11PM »
I'm pretty sure the SR20 non-turbos are AWD.  There's a member on here with a black one. Pretty sure his name is Bevan... He also has a 910 bluey.

And yes all the aussie one's have the KA24DE FWD...

Offline JelloBello

  • Attesa Driver
  • west oz local moderator
  • post whore
  • *****
  • Posts: 2158
  • Karma: +29/-4
  • Gender: Male
  • Got Pastie?
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #16 on: Mar 18, 2007, 10:24PM »
According to the FAST database u13 sr20de's came in both FWD and AWD models :) so you're both right
1994 u13 SSS Attesa ftw. Project thread here
13.876 @ 98.83mph

Offline P-Unit

  • antrx.com full member
  • ***
  • Posts: 213
  • Karma: +11/-1
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #17 on: Mar 18, 2007, 10:32PM »
As for the TX/Ti mix-up, I apologize, i thought it looked a little wrong when i was writing it, which is why i put in the please correct me if im wrong.

Cheers Greenbird.

Offline Alister

  • antrx.com junkie
  • *****
  • Posts: 740
  • Karma: +27/-32
  • Gender: Male
  • 5.7L LS1 oooh yeah baby!
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #18 on: Mar 18, 2007, 11:12PM »
I am also still sceptical about the fact that the U13 supposedly has a 60 or 65 (can't remember) litre tank. I ran my car into a servo in the middle of victoria once whilst it was coughing and spluttering and it only took 45 litres to fill it.....

It definatly has a 60L tank. Just about every single fill I gave my U13 was pretty much around the 50L mark (light comes on and stays on with about 15L left).
When I ran it completely dry, I nearly put 60L in it when I refilled.
Also, 60L is the safe fill level, you can get more in.

Offline greenbird

  • antrx.com senior member
  • ****
  • Posts: 414
  • Karma: +11/-1
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #19 on: Mar 19, 2007, 07:23PM »
As for the TX/Ti mix-up, I apologize, i thought it looked a little wrong when i was writing it, which is why i put in the please correct me if im wrong.

No need to apologise mate!

You are probably right with the fuel tank Alister.
It would be interesting to drain my car completely one day, then tow it to the servo to fill it up!
15 litres left after the low fuel light comes on does seem like a lot...
93 U13 Bluebird
5 spd
Finer Filter, Hi-Flow cat & 2.25" exhaust
17X7 Concept 5 wheels
2 inch lowered King Springs

Offline cosmic

  • antrx.com junior member
  • **
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #20 on: Mar 19, 2007, 09:38PM »
I guess for a 14 year old car, running it dry wouldn't do TOO much damage... a lot of guys on zcar warn of the ills of running a car dry due to the crap that builds up in your tank, that you then put through your fuel system...

Recall reading a post once about a guy who got a 240z for a "steal", then had to drive it across state borders to get it home... and ended up putting 2 fuel filters in series to try keep the crap out after having to unclog his carby at the side of the road...

I ran my Zed dry soon after I got it... finally came to a rolling halt directly across the road from a petrol station... Still had to leave a $20 deposit to walk a can of petrol over and top it up.

Offline greenbird

  • antrx.com senior member
  • ****
  • Posts: 414
  • Karma: +11/-1
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #21 on: Mar 19, 2007, 10:25PM »
I would never run the car dry.... By doing that you run the risk of burning out your fuel pump, let alone sucking up all of the crap from the bottom of the tank.
Surely there's a drain plug on the fuel tank to drain it completely?
93 U13 Bluebird
5 spd
Finer Filter, Hi-Flow cat & 2.25" exhaust
17X7 Concept 5 wheels
2 inch lowered King Springs

Offline cosmic

  • antrx.com junior member
  • **
  • Posts: 34
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Fuel Economy
« Reply #22 on: Mar 20, 2007, 12:49AM »
Can't speak for the Blueys, but I am 95% sure there's no drain for the fuel tank in any of the Zed series cars...

I know I considered dropping the tank out of my car and having it cleaned at one point... people suggest simply dropping a length of chain inside (keeping one end out) so that it will scour the insides to clean all the gunk from inside...